Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 211 War Preparations of All Parties
The Heavenly Sword Sect established its own resource circulation and sales offices, which not only handle its own resources but also take orders from outside.

The news sent shockwaves throughout the entire county.

It was a simple business move, seemingly nothing special, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was directly taking food from the Dongjiang Gang's mouth.

In the past, it wouldn't have mattered much if the Heavenly Sword Sect had tried to take this job, since Dongjiang was the capital of the prefecture and resources from all over the country were concentrated there. Who could you threaten by taking orders in a small county in Xiazhou?
But now the situation has changed. Xia Prefecture has become a county seat, and future resources will inevitably concentrate there. Those who stay in a mere county town to take orders have become the Dongjiang gang.

With the Heavenly Sword Sect's actions, the very foundation upon which the Dongjiang Gang was founded is about to be destroyed.

The Dongjiang Gang was just preparing to relocate when they heard this news. Gang leader Shi Tielong stood there dumbfounded, his face turning pale and then red.

"I regret it." After a long while, Shi Tielong said hoarsely to those around him, "I shouldn't have cooperated with the Tianxing Sword Sect to destroy the Fenxiang Pavilion. No matter how provocative the Fenxiang Pavilion was, it had no great ambition or ability; it could only annoy people. The Tianxing Sword Sect, on the other hand, was a tiger lying on the sidelines, ready to devour anyone it could get its chance."

The elders on both sides sighed, "We can't blame the gang leader for this; we all agreed to it at the time. Who could have foreseen the geographical changes and the relocation of the prefecture capital..."

Shi Tielong looked up at the ceiling and after a long while said, "The most troublesome thing now is that even though everyone can see that their goal is to compete for the championship, on the surface they are just openly 'restoring the business of their former sect,' which is beyond reproach. If we were to tear off the mask and resort to force, we would be the ones in the wrong."

"Isn't the Cangshan Sword Sect facing the same troubles... In the past, when the Tianxing Sword Sect was weak, they said they would only make high-grade flying swords and not compete with the Cangshan Sword Sect for the common low-grade business. Now, their sword-making hall has been making low-grade flying swords for two or three months. Before, they only sold them within Xiazhou County, and the Cangshan Sword Sect could barely tolerate it. But now? Xiazhou is now the capital of the prefecture."

"What's the point of the Cangshan Sword Sect coming to our door now and saying that, according to the previous agreement, the Tianxing Sword Sect is only allowed to make high-grade flying swords?"

Shi Tielong remained silent for a long time, then took a deep breath: "Going to them alone is pointless. Only by joining forces can we create enough momentum to make the Tianxing Sword Sect think twice."

The elders on the left and right exchanged glances. If they joined forces to press down on the gate, it wouldn't just be a matter of gathering strength.

It's a falling out.

However, such a sudden change of heart is useless... You can't really attack their sect like the Incense Burning Pavilion did and wage a war to wipe them out. The only thing you can do is similar to the martial arts competition strategy they used during their founding ceremony. If you can subdue the experts of the Heavenly Sword Sect, then naturally they won't dare to act recklessly.

Even if they are shameless and still act recklessly, others in the county will naturally know which family is more reliable, and they will continue to choose the Dongjiang Gang for their goods.

For those involved in the flow of goods, security is paramount. Everyone's capabilities are on full display, making the choice the most straightforward.

Can you subdue someone with a martial arts contest? Are you confident?

Shi Tielong recalled the performance he had observed when he attacked Fenxianglou with Shen Tang.

This woman is young but incredibly strong... Now that she has reached the mid-stage of the third rank, Shi Tielong knows he is not confident of a sure victory. With Zhang Shaoyou, Qin Buwang, and Zhao Guishan all now at the third rank, the Tianxing Sword Sect is at its peak. Their fighting force is far greater than it once was, relying solely on Shen Tang. Even in a full-scale martial arts competition, the Tianxing Sword Sect wouldn't back down from anyone.

"The only solution now is to ask for outside help," Shi Tielong said in a low voice. "I'll go and ask my uncle to come and help."

The elders all said, "If that's the case, let's ask Lingyun Sect and Cangshan Sword Sect if they should also seek help from their backers."

"Hmm... ask the old friends of Fenxiang Tower again... Although we are also enemies who wiped out our families, if we are willing to apologize and make compensation, is there any way to resolve this..."

Shi Tielong's uncle is an elder of the renowned first-rank sect, Canglan Sect, and is himself a second-rank expert. It was because of this backing that Shi Tielong was able to rise to power in Dongjiang and build the Dongjiang Gang into the number one gang.

Sects like the Cangshan Sword Sect also have their own networks of connections. After a lifetime, who doesn't have some connections and favors? The one with the most connections should be the Burning Incense Pavilion, but unfortunately, they were suppressed back then and couldn't be used. Otherwise, it would have been absolutely impossible to wipe out their sect.

The elders went off to carry out their orders.

Shi Tielong looked out the door, still feeling uneasy.

This is the second time in just six months that various forces in Dongjiang have joined forces against the Tianxing Sword Sect, and each time the scale has been larger than the last.

But last time, it completely allowed the Heavenly Sword Sect to establish its authority, and the Incense Burning Pavilion was subsequently wiped out. What about this time?

Last time, there was Yang Dechang secretly colluding with them, but this time there isn't even anyone pulling strings behind the scenes. I heard that Lu Xingzhou's conflict with the Huo family in the capital has become more acute, and he's even become an enemy of the Prince of Jin because of jealousy. Why are they reacting even less?

Because the emperor's decree to "support" was always suppressed?

After a moment's hesitation, Shi Tielong summoned another trusted confidant: "Take my private letter and rush to the capital to find Prince Jin and Marquis Huo, and see what they think."

The trusted confidant went to carry out the order.

But the capital is far away, and I don't know if there will be enough time for a round trip...

"So Shi Tielong's backer is actually the Canglan Sect." Lu Xingzhou looked at the information in his hand and said in a low voice, "This information is still not detailed enough because it does not reveal the influence of Shi Tielong's uncle, Shi Zhong, in the Canglan Sect. This is related to whether Shi Tielong's backer is just his uncle alone, or whether he can bring a few fellow disciples of similar strength, or even a large number of Canglan Sect experts... These are completely different concepts."

Shen Tang sat down in front of him, her face slightly flushed, and murmured softly, "It's still too early to get information about the internal workings of a top-tier sect."

“The prefect has said that the possibility of a large number of powerful individuals entering the country can be ruled out. As for the rest…” Lu Xingzhou flipped through the documents for a long time, then suddenly smiled: “The Cangshan Sword Sect’s backer is the Feixing Sword Sect, which is an affiliated sect of the Huanhua Sword Sect. The Huanhua Sword Sect owes me a favor… I’m wondering if I need to use it.”

Shen Tang said, "You don't need to say anything. With the favor from the higher-ups, at least the Flying Star Sword Sect won't dare to interfere. There might not be anyone along the way."

"Lingyun Sect seems to have some kind of connection with Chunshan Sect through all these twists and turns... Tsk, what a small world."

"What's wrong with the Spring Mountain Sect? It's a second-grade sect, not nearly as intimidating as the Canglan Sect, is it?"

“There’s a guy named Chen Yu from the Spring Mountain Sect. He was my classmate at the Alchemy Academy and once tried to assassinate me. I’ve wanted to kill him for a long time, but it’s really hard to do it at the Alchemy Academy. The last time I pretended to be a cripple and failed was because of him. If I had succeeded that time and killed him directly, there would have been far fewer future troubles. Unfortunately, this guy is quite capable.”

"He dared to plot against you!"

"..."

“When we held our founding ceremony, Lingyun Sect was one of the most offended, and people from it died.” There was a hint of murderous intent in Shen Tang’s eyes: “Then let’s make an example of them this time.”

“We should pay more attention to them. Although the Dongjiang Gang is the core, it may not be the Dongjiang Gang that causes big trouble.” Lu Xingzhou put down the documents and stretched: “It’s okay, we are on our home turf now.”

Shen Tang looked at him with sparkling eyes. She really couldn't believe that after Lu Xingzhou went out for a stroll, the prefect had become one of her own, and Wan Cheng, the commander of the Demon Suppression Division who had previously ignored her, had once again become one of her own. It was truly her home turf. Now she actually hoped that the other party would do more things that broke the rules, so that the authorities could directly crack down on them, which would be much more satisfying, without her having to lift a finger.

However, having said that, the Incense Tower incident came first, followed by the Dongjiang Gang's collusion. These two incidents within just six months already show that the imperial court's deterrent power in the eyes of martial arts sects has greatly diminished.

Powerful first-tier sects like the Huanhua Sword Sect and the Canglan Sect wouldn't give local officials any face if they really wanted to do something. Not to mention the demonic sects like the Cha Nu He Huan Sect and the Yama Palace, who manipulate you bureaucrats.

The Dongjiang Gang's Incense Tower members only showed some restraint on the surface; in reality, they continued to do what they were supposed to do.

Cultivators are arrogant and unruly because of their strength. They are already like this even with the government's suppression. What kind of chaos will the world be in once the government's deterrent power collapses?

Are sects indiscriminately killing and annihilating each other, deciding things solely with fists?

The thought flashed through her mind, and she naturally wouldn't go off-topic with Lu Xingzhou while he was pondering the enemy. Lu Xingzhou picked up his pen and circled a few key points on the document, but didn't dwell on it. He quickly put down the file, grinned, and opened his arms: "I'm tired, let me hug you."

Shen Tang spat, looked around to make sure no one was there, and then slipped into his arms, leaving only a wheelchair spinning in place.

"Why isn't your husband standing there with a stern face today?"

“What does it have to do with her that we’re talking about the Heavenly Sword Sect? Does she expect us to listen to this endlessly? She’s not exactly bored.”

"I think she's just bored. You went out to visit the prefect, and she secretly followed you. Isn't that incredibly tedious? I didn't even go with her..."

Lu Xingzhou gently pinched her cheek: "Do you think she's too much of a fuss, or do you want to replace her?"

"I don't care. You finally came back, and I haven't even had a chance to be affectionate with you. I've just seen her standing there like a lantern. Look how sensible Ah Nuo is. She's been completely invisible since she came back."

Lu Xingzhou couldn't help but laugh.

Thinking back to Madam Ye, it seems that she never appeared again after I told her to "smile more".

These words sounded disrespectful... well, they're usually disrespectful anyway, but they were essentially still concerned about her. They just hadn't expected this expression of concern to have such a positive effect.

This guy looks aloof, but actually... isn't he quite lacking in attention?
This tactic wasn't even very effective on Pei Chuyun, who lacked love since childhood, but it's quite surprising that it actually changed the mood of a seemingly aloof gentleman.

Lu Xingzhou didn't elaborate on this, only saying, "The real conflict will be triggered when the Dongjiang Gang officially moves into Xiazhou. Right now, everyone is in the preparatory stage, and there's nothing major happening for the time being. I also need to ask the Master how long he plans to stay here, and whether it will conflict with her trial plan."

(End of this chapter)